Comprised of Division features, accolades and achievements, as well as valuable "In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)" news you can use, each edition of the newsletter highlights key information and resources across the Division's departmental, operational and service unit areas. To subscribe to this listserv, click HERE.

Dear Administration and Finance colleagues:

In this issue, we highlight programs from Administration and Finance units to honor the contributions of African Americans and their key role in U.S. history, as part of our divisional celebrations for Black History Month. I hope that you will be able to participate in some of these activities. We also focus on February as American Heart Month, and offer reminders and best practices for cardiovascular health. I hope you enjoy the monthly updates including:

• Public Art of the University of Houston System promotes taking an art walk for health during Black History Month to view Jonah and the Whale, a sculpture outside the University of Houston Police Department Building. This sculpture by artist Carroll Harris Simms, was the first work by an African American artist to be accessioned into the Public Art of the University of Houston System Collection.
• UH Dining Services will feature menu items from the Sweet Home Café at the National Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington, D.C. from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Tuesday, February 22. This Smithsonian Museum is the only museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture.
• HR POWER UP Employee Wellness encourages interested employees to mark their calendars for the On-Campus Mammograms, coming to UH in March. The Rose’s mobile wellness unit will offer on-site, no-cost mammography to eligible employees. Please pre-register to schedule your appointment.
• The University of Houston Police Department showcases their new program to support co-production of on-campus safety and security launched this spring semester, called UHPD and Me, led by the University of Houston Police Department Crime Prevention team. Please save the dates for this semester’s events.
• Facilities and Construction Management announces their new Labs and Research Facilities team. This team will be leading the initiative to provide facilities support to science and research buildings across campus.
• Parking and Transportation Services provides dates for its February information sessions to share information on the new Virtual Parking Permit program. If you or your team are not able to attend a session, feel free to work directly with Parking and Transportation leadership to invite the team to your next employee staff meeting to learn more about this service enhancement.

As we look forward to March, please mark your calendars for Friday, March 4, which is National Employee Appreciation Day. Please take time on this day of recognition to show appreciation and gratitude to our divisional employees.

Thank you for all that you do every day to support the success of our division.

February is American Heart Month

A reminder from UH Occupational Health Services: February is American Heart Month and a time to focus on our cardiovascular health. Hypertension, also referred to as high blood pressure, is the leading risk factor for heart attacks and stroke. Get to know your numbers and share any concerns with your physician.

Exercising healthy habits is the best way to prevent or manage cardiovascular diseases. Remember to Move More, Eat Smart, and Stress Less.

Please visit the American Heart Association to learn more about the risk factors and symptoms of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases.

Public Art UH System Promotes Heart Health and Celebrates Black History Month 

Art walks on campus are a great way to promote heart health and enjoy artworks in the Public Art of the UH System collection.

This month, take an art walk to see Jonah and the Whale, created by African American artist and Texas Southern University faculty member, Caroll Harris Simms, located outside the University of Houston Police Department Building. Along with TSU art department founder, John Biggers, Simms is credited with helping to establish the art program at TSU. Acquired in 1973, Jonah and the Whale was the first work by an African American artist to be accessioned into the collection. Public Art of the University of Houston System has a vast collection of artworks by diverse artists. Browse the Public Art of the University of Houston System’s website to learn more.

UH Dining Services Celebrates Black History Month 

In honor of Black History Month, UH Dining is featuring recipes from the Sweet Home Café at The National Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington, D.C. This Smithsonian location is the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture. Sweet Home Café showcases authentic offerings, present-day food traditions, and the best version of classic dishes with a high degree of from-scratch cooking and locally sourced ingredients. Select recipes will be featured at Cougar Woods and Moody Dining Commons on Tuesday, February 22nd from 11 am - 4 pm.

Lab & Research Team Provides Support to Research Core Facilities

As a part of the University of Houston’s recently unveiled strategic plan, UH’s research enterprise is expected to continue to grow at an accelerated rate for the near future. To support this key strategic goal, a new Labs and Research Facilities team was formed in winter of 2021. This new laser-focused team will provide top-level service to our science and research buildings across campus. Read more.

Mark Your Calendar for March On-Campus Mammograms

This spring HR POWER UP Employee Wellness will partner with The Rose to bring 2D and 3D screening services to the University of Houston. The Rose’s mobile wellness unit will offer on-site, no-cost mammography to eligible employees on Tuesdays -- March 15, 22 & 29 in Lot 19F between the Technology Annex and the Central Plant Building (near the M.D. Anderson Library), and on Thursday, March 24, at Technology Bridge (near Building 7). For screening details and to make your appointment today, click here.

February UH Dining Events Calendar 

Grab yourself and a special someone a decadent mini red velvet cake or a heart-themed Shipley’s donut from Cougar Village or Student Center Market. Selections are available through February 28 or while supplies last. Cougar Cash and Shasta Bucks are accepted. View the UH Dining Events Calendar featuring the Valentine baked goods and a Cultural Series for Black History Month.

Coca-Cola Houston Rodeo Caravan Tour is Coming to UH

In partnership with Coca-Cola, Auxiliary Services is bringing the Houston Rodeo Caravan to the University of Houston for the first time. Save the date for March 3, 9 am - noon at the Student Center North Lawn. Check out the Auxiliary Services - Vending website to learn more about upcoming Coca-Cola sampling events on campus and view photos from the Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan.

UH Clear Lake Recognizes UH Emergency Management Specialist

Brian Hall, Emergency Management Specialist in Office of Emergency Management, received the "Friend of Police" award from the University of Houston Clear Lake (UHCL) Police Department. Brian received recognition for his assistance with the UH Clear Lake Police Department's Contact Tracing Program. Read more.

Welcome Aboard - Administration & Finance Leaders in New Positions or Roles

Administration and Finance welcomes new leaders across the division and highlights recent promotions to new roles.

• Louis Edwards, Treasurer
• Mark Levine, Cullen Performance Hall Theater Director
• Nalan Giannukos, Copy, Print, & Delivery Services Director
• Pam Muscarello, Executive Director, Business Services

DocuSign Solution Services Approved by the Texas Division of Information

The university Controller's Office has announced that DocuSign digital signature solution has been selected for usage at UH campuses. This software will help students, faculty, and staff connect and automate preparation, management, and signatures of documents and agreements. Read more. 

National Employee Appreciation Day is March 4

Employees are critical to our successes as a division. Please mark your calendar for Friday, March 4^th and take time on this day to show your appreciation and gratitude to our divisional employees.

UH Police Department Presents UHPD and Me

DUO Increases Safety in Cybersecurity 

With the rise in cyber-attacks globally, organizations such as UHS are taking stronger measures to protect critical resources. Seeking to reduce threats such as fraud, unauthorized access, misuse and theft of university resources, UHS implemented Two-Factor Authentication, DUO, across all four universities. Learn more about authentication and protections when accessing university resources.

Virtual Permits Coming Soon

Parking and Transportation Services will host an upcoming information session to discuss the transition to virtual parking permits. Use the following links to join an information session and learn more about virtual permits. 

• Wednesday, Feb. 23, 10-11 a.m. (meeting link)
• Thursday, Feb. 24, 2:30-3:30 p.m. (meeting link)

Instantaneous Beauty - Opening Reception 

Public Art of the University of Houston System  celebrates the opening of Instantaneous Beauty: Andy Warhol and the Photographic Process on February 23 from 6-8 p.m. at the O’Kane Gallery at the University of Houston-Downtown. This event is free and open to the public. View additional information on upcoming Public Art UHS events.

Disruptions, Predictions, Planning: Navigating On-going Campus Supply Chain Challenges in 2022 and Beyond 

Join industry leaders and Emily Messa from the University of Houston in an engaging presentation on current supply chain conditions and predictions facing campus auxiliary services and business partners. We will discuss current trends and strategies to help prepare our campus communities to navigate these uncertainties. The panel discussion will be hosted on March 17 at 12 pm CST. Industry presenters include: Dennis Hogan, Chief Executive Officer of FoodBuy, LLC; Jennifer Hatton, Executive Vice President for Course Materials with Follett; and Chad Phillips, Senior Vice President and Chief Merchant for General Merchandise at Follett. If you are interested in attending, please connect with DaNesha Allen so you can attend.